5 Best Cities for a Southern Christmas

Tried-and-true Tradition: San Antonio River Walk (pictured)
Along the San Antonio River, downtown
The city’s most famous attraction really shines this month, with 120,000 lights, carolers serenading from boats, and color (even more this year thanks to the new 1.3-mile extension). The El Mercado area, just five minutes by foot, was put on this earth for Christmas shopping (from maracas to hand-embroidered dresses). Special: Fiesta de las Luminarias, Friday-Sunday nights December 4-20, with 6,000 candlelit brown bags in the tradition of lighting the way for the Holy Family. thesanantonioriverwalk.com

Becoming a Tradition: San Antonio Rose Live’s Classic Holiday Show, 
Aztec Theatre, River Walk
This new local attraction provides two hours of seasonal songs by the 10-piece group called San Antonio Rose, featuring singers from San Antonio, Nashville, Austin, and Branson. Tickets begin at $20. sanantonioroselive.com

Super Side Trip: Mission San José (pictured)
15 minutes from River Walk
Go December 26 for Los Pastores, a traditional folk play depicting the shepherds’ journey to see the Christ child. Nearly three hours in Spanish (with narration in English). Free. nps.gov/saan

See the Bright Lights: Windcrest’s “Light Up”
8 miles northeast of downtown on I-35
On December 15, the night of the opening ceremony, displays of lights are illuminated on several hundred neighborhood houses. Some of the homeowners keep their decorations up through New Year’s Eve. For maps visit ci.windcrest.tx.us.

 

The Gift That Says San Antonio: Tamales
A holiday tradition, shipped from delicioustamales.com ($7 a dozen with a worth-it wallop for mailing). Tamale order deadline: December 16.

For the Kids: Santa’s Railroad Wonderland
8 miles north of downtown
The Texas Transportation Museum offers nighttime rides on trains and hayrides adorned with lights. Family special: 2 adults and up to 5 children for $30. txtransportationmuseum.org
 

Tried-and-True Tradition: Pink Pig Rides at Macy’s (pictured) 
Lenox Square in Buckhead
Ride Priscilla, the bubblegum-colored train in the shape of a pig, still chugging on the upper parking deck after 56 years. The 2009 version moves through a life-size storybook showing the ride’s history. This rite of passage costs $3 a trip; hours and printable two-for-one discount coupons at macys.com/campaign/pinkpig/home.jsp

Becoming a Tradition: Centennial Olympic Park Ice-skating
Downtown, across from CNN Center
The rink’s ready with rental skates ($2) and a view of the skyline. Multicolor rays bathe the ice in holiday hues to a seasonal soundtrack. It’s $7 for 90 minutes. Parking at the Green Lot on the Marietta Street side of the park, $8. centennialpark.com

For the Kids: Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Park
16 miles east of downtown on State 78
A snow-covered solution for that week after Christmas (opens December 26). Choices include tubing a 400-foot hillside and a field for snow angels, Frosty-building, and snowball battles. The white powder is totally real. Buy a $4 S’Mores “kit” to toast over open fire pits. Through March 7; $25 per snow fan. snowmountainpark.com

See the Bright Lights: Magical Nights of Lights
Lake Lanier Islands, 45 minutes from downtown
On this 7-mile drive, you’ll see costumed elves, a lit carousel, and more. Kids love the drive-through Icicle Tunnel and to stroll down Candy Cane Lane. Starts at $40 per car. lakelanierislands.com

 

The Gift That Says Atlanta: Vintage-style Atlanta drink coasters
A fun addition to your holiday party: retro coasters with images of downtown, street signs, landmarks, etc., $8 each. festivityonline.com

Super Side Trip: Town of Helen
90 minutes from northern suburbs
Europe and Georgia mingle in this tiny village in the North Georgia mountains. Experience the German Christmas Market (December 5-6), Hofer’s Bakery & Cafe for stollen (German fruitcake), Tim’s Wooden Toys, Windmill Dutch Imports for Blue Delft pottery and Dutch licorice, and, of course, The Christmas Shoppe. helenga.org
 

Tried-and-True Tradition: A Christmas Carol
Actors Theatre, 316 West Main Street
This is the 34th year of this production. The script, slightly updating the classic Dickens, blesses us with 16 added songs, dancing, and actors who play instruments. December 8-27; from $27, kids ages 5-14 pay half-price December 8-16. actorstheatre.org

Becoming a Tradition: Make Your Own Ornament (pictured)
Glassworks, 815 West Market Street
Choose colors, learn the technique of glassblowing from an artisan, and watch molten glass morph into a treasure. Plan to circle back a day later to pick up your finished work. Ages 7 and up by appointment; $40. louisvilleglassworks.com

Super Side Trip: Holiday Luncheons
The Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, 60 miles southwest of Louisville
Chef Ouita Michel cooks for guests at Kentucky’s fine bourbon distillery. Specialties include shrimp bisque; Julia Child’s Famous Beef Bourguignon; local lettuces with blue cheese, toasted walnuts, and Woodford’s sorghum vinaigrette; caramel-iced jam cake; and more. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday November 28-December 27; $25. woodfordreserve.com

See the Bright Lights: Light Up Lake Forest
25 miles east of city center on U.S. 60
At least 1,200 homeowners light lawns and houses beginning the first week of December. The live reindeer (once a tradition) no longer show up, but the crowds do. Go at dusk before the traffic turns snail-paced. lakeforestky.com 

For the Kids: Sleigh Rides With Santa
The Summit, 15 minutes from downtown
Free horse-drawn trips around the shopping center parking lot. The annual treat includes a complimentary photo with Saint Nick; a $5 charge for additional photos goes to local charities. The Summit features more than 60 shops and restaurants. Noon-5 p.m. December 5-6, 12-13, and 18-20.
 

See the Bright Lights: The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Several blocks of buildings literally coated with dazzling lights; everywhere-you-turn bursts of animated Santas, angels, and more. Park admission required. disneyworld.com

Becoming a Tradition: ICE! at Gaylord Palms
6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee
Ice slides, ice-carved versions of Old Man Winter, an Arctic forest, and life-size nativity by Chinese carvers. From $19.99 adults. gaylordpalms.com/ice

For the Kids: Now Snowing Nightly
Town of Celebration, near Disney World, 30 minutes from central Orlando
Evening onslaughts of white stuff fall from the sky (artificial but realistic). Hourly from 6-9 p.m.November 28-December 31 in the town center; free. celebrationtowncenter.com
 

The Gift That Says Orlando: Lawn flamingoes
Pure Florida whimsy: from original 1950s design; $20 for two birds. Orange County Regional History Center. 407-836-8594

Super Side Trip: Christmas, Florida
20 miles east on State 50
Drop holiday cards at the U.S. Post Office (zip: 32709) for an old-fashioned Christmas postmark.

 

Tried-and-true Tradition: National Christmas Tree and the Pathway of Peace
On the Ellipse lawn, south of the White House
Go for nightly musical performances and a Yule log beside the grand official tree, plus 56 smaller trees decorated by the 50 states, 5 territories, and District of Columbia. Through January 1; free. nps.gov/whho

Becoming a Tradition: Downtown Holiday Market
150 F Street, NW., December 4-23 (in its fifth year)
The roster of 150 artisans and craftspeople covers such media as jewelry, pottery, paintings, and textiles. The offerings change each week to vary shopping options. Noon to 8 p.m. daily. downtowndc.org
 

For the Kids: Holiday Model Trains
Union Station
The Norwegian Embassy presents a model train winding through mountains and fjords, as well as a huge Christmas tree. It’s an annual gift to pledge the country’s friendship with the U.S.; free. norway.org

See the Bright Lights: ZooLights
National Zoo, 10 minutes from the D.C. city center, Woodley Park Metro stop
Thousands of LED lights ― environmentally friendly, using 90% less energy than traditional bulbs―trace animal outlines and seasonal shapes. Friday-Sunday December 4-13 and nightly December 18-January 2 (except December 24, 25, and 31), 6-8:30 p.m. nationalzoo.si.edu

The Gift That Says D.C.: Cuff links made from D.C. trolley tokens
Show you really know the city. Set in sterling silver, these tokens from the 1960s live again with retro style, $130. aprespeau.com

Super Side Trip: Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Mount Vernon, Virginia, 15 miles south of the D.C. city center
Visit the home of George and Martha Washington at Christmas. The first
First Lady is on hand, along with fireside caroling, 18th-century strolling “guests,” and a kitchen tour. You even leave with a recipe for Martha’s cake. Friday-Sunday November 27-December 13, 5-8 p.m.; $18 adults. mountvernon.org